Perskindol

Interview of Michele Borri, Head of Global Brand of VIFOR CONSUMER HEALTH SA, regarding their partnership with the FSR

Why become a Partner of the FSR?

"3 main reasons: product fit, values fit, public fit.1. Product fit: Rugby is a contact sport, and as such not only the muscles are strained, but during the game there are many bruises and sprains, furthermore it is common for rugby players to come across back and joint pain. Our product range is ideal to help every player ease pain and recover during and after the games.2. Values fit: we share the same values of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship.3. Public fit: rugby is growing all over the world, in Switzerland it has grown from 2000 to 5000 members within the last years, including feminine teams! The game has evolved to become more spectacular and attract always more public. We also sponsor ice hockey and there the majority of the teams are on the German speaking part of the country, rugby is opposite and it allows us to grant a better brand presence in the French speaking part of Switzerland."

Which are the common values between your company and Rugby?

"Besides the values stated above, there are two particularities in rugby that are anchored in our brand character and values: inclusivity and courage.No matter if you are tall, short, overweight, fast, slim there is a position for every body shape and skill in a rugby team, this is a great example of inclusivity.Whenever you are to enter a rugby pitch, you know that there is a risk of injury for you and your teammates; you need courage to overcome this fear and show your fellow players that you will be there for them when they need you in a ruck!"

How do you see the evolution of the Rugby in Switzerland?

"I have seen the steady evolution of the rugby schools in the last decade, schools such as Plan-Les-Ouates and Zug are impressive by the number of teams they now train and align, this grants great generations of players to come. The Rugby Sevens discipline for the first time in the Olympics in Rio last year, the feminine number of teams growing year after year and the nationals teams performance now ranking in the top 35 nations in IRF, are for me further indicators that rugby will continue gaining interest of the public. I believe the next coming rugby world cup in Japan 2019 will help to further attract Swiss people to the sports and work towards a first participation of a Swiss team in the rugby world cup."